Democracy & Tech Initiative

The DFRLab’s Democracy & Tech Initiative creates policy practices that align global stakeholders toward tech and governance that reinforces, rather than undermines, open societies. This initiative builds on the DFRLab’s leadership in the OSINT field, empowering global communities to promote transparency and accountability.

Content

New Atlanticist

Mar 21, 2025

Four critical questions (and expert answers) about Trump’s new critical minerals executive order

By Alexis Harmon, Reed Blakemore

On March 20, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to increase crucial mineral production in the United States. Atlantic Council experts dig into the details.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Mar 21, 2025

To win the AI race, the US needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy

By Joseph Webster

To ensure US AI leadership, the United States must harness all forms of energy, allow a level playing field, and remove red tape constraining the buildout of critical enablers, especially transmission lines and grid enhancing technologies.

Artificial Intelligence China

UkraineAlert

Mar 20, 2025

Putin is ruthlessly erasing Ukrainian identity in Russian-occupied Ukraine

By Peter Dickinson

Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin is pursuing policies in Russian-occupied Ukraine that almost certainly meet the definition of ethnic cleansing and may qualify as genocide, writes Peter Dickinson.

Civil Society Conflict

UkraineAlert

Mar 20, 2025

Silencing Voice of America will only strengthen autocrats around the world

By Mercedes Sapuppo

United States President Donald Trump's decision to shut down US-funded media outlets including Voice of America will boost authoritarian regimes around the world, writes Mercedes Sapuppo.

Democratic Transitions Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Mar 20, 2025

Trump’s energy sector ceasefire could be good news for Putin’s war machine

By David Kirichenko 

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has backed US President Donald Trump's proposal for a partial ceasefire on energy sector attacks, but this may be a strategic step rather than an indication of his readiness to end the invasion of Ukraine, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Drones

New Atlanticist

Mar 19, 2025

As Chinese EVs threaten to overrun Europe, Germany should ramp up supply-chain investment

By Joseph Webster

Electric vehicles and their associated technologies are an important security-related investment for Germany and other European powers right now.

China Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Mar 18, 2025

Putin backs Trump’s partial ceasefire but insists Ukraine must be disarmed

By Peter Dickinson

Vladimir Putin has backed Donald Trump's call for a partial ceasefire but his insistence on disarming Ukraine reveals his continued determination to complete the conquest of the country, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Mar 18, 2025

Shanker interviewed about the use of drones in Ukraine on the RealClearPolitics podcast

By Atlantic Council

On March 13, Scowcroft Center nonresident senior fellow Thom Shanker was interviewed by Andrew Walworth on the RealClearPolitics podcast to discuss how the use of drones following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has redefined modern warfare. According to Shanker, “Drones have really redefined the battle plan in Ukraine… Currently, 70% of all deaths and injuries in […]

Conflict Defense Technologies

Taiwan’s security and resilience

Mar 18, 2025

Global China Hub nonresident fellow Wen-Ti Sung quoted in NPR

By Wen-Ti Sung

On March 12th, 2025, Global China Hub nonresident fellow Wen-Ti Sung was quoted in an NPR article on how Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s $100 billion investment into new semiconductor facilities in Arizona could impact the silicon shield that some believe disincentives a PRC attack.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Mar 14, 2025

Five takeaways from Beijing’s largest annual political meetings

By Melanie Hart

Chinese leaders signaled that they will stick to their state-managed economic approach and view Washington as their greatest external threat.

China Economy & Business

Experts

Events